Pinpointing Cause of Colic:UT Houston research identifies organism that could trigger
constant crying

HOUSTON - (July 23, 2009) - Researchers at The University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston say one organism discovered during
their study may unlock the key to what causes colic, inconsolable
crying in an otherwise healthy baby.

"Right now, pediatric gastroenterologists can treat just about
anything that comes through the door," said J. Marc Rhoads, M.D.,
professor of pediatrics at The University of Texas Medical School at
Houston, which is part of the UT Health Science Center at Houston.
"With colic, there is no evidence-based treatment we can offer.
Colic can be a dangerous situation for a baby. The parent's
frustration over the crying can lead to maternal frustration,
post-partum depression and even thoughts of harming the baby."

Published in today's online edition of the Journal of Pediatrics,
the study pointed to an organism called Klebsiella, a normally
occurring bacterium that can be found in the mouth, skin and
intestines. In the study of 36 babies, half of which had colic,
researchers found the bacterium and gut inflammation in the intestines
of the babies with colic.

"We believe that the bacterium may be sparking an inflammatory
reaction, causing the gut inflammation," said Rhoads, the lead
investigator for the study. "Inflammation in the gut of colicky
infants closely compared to levels in patients with inflammatory bowel
disease. Colic could prove to be a precursor to other gastrointestinal
conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease and
allergic gastroenteropathies."

Babies in the study were fed breast milk and/or formula. Previous
research articles have not shown significant data supporting the
theory that breastfeeding protects infants against colic. The babies
in the study were recruited from UT Physicians' pediatric clinics and
Kelsey-Seybold clinics.

Colic is defined as unexplained and severe crying in an otherwise
healthy newborn. It usually occurs in infants three months old or
younger and lasts for more than three hours daily for at least three
days a week. "Colic is a very common condition. It affects about
15 percent of normal, healthy infants. More than half of infanticides
fall into the age category of colic. We may be able to prevent deaths
if we can find a treatment," Rhoads said.

Right now, pediatricians prescribe special hypoallergenic infant
formula to try and treat colic, but none of it has been proven in
studies to be effective in treating the condition.

"During our study, we also found that the babies that didn?t
have colic had more types of bacteria in their intestines. The
presence of more bacteria may indicate that specific bacterial species
(phylotypes) are beneficial to humans," Rhoads said.

The study was funded by the Gerber Foundation.

A larger study is needed to examine Klebsiella and the use of a
probiotic, which is a dietary supplement made up of good bacteria, to
control the gut inflammation. Before that can begin, Rhoads said an
adult trial will take place to examine the safety of the probiotics in
healthy adults. For that study, UT researchers are recruiting 40 adult
patients.

Other research personnel at the UT Medical School included Nicole
Fatheree, research coordinator; Yuying Liu, Ph.D., researcher; Joseph
Lucke, Ph.D. and Jon E. Tyson, M.D., professor of pediatrics and
obstetrics and Michelle Bain Distinguished Professor in Medicine and
Public Health.